Kuttu Khichdi | Buckwheat Khichdi
Kuttu khichdi or Buckwheat khichdi with step by step photos – yet another easy and quick Navratri Fasting Recipe that is nutritious, filling as well as tastes good. Made with buckwheat groats, potatoes, peanuts and spices this is a healthy dish that you can make not only for any Hindu fasting day but also regular days.
Generally we use buckwheat flour to make Kuttu ki roti or Kuttu ki poori during Navratri. This time I managed to get buckwheat groats from the organic section of a super store.
I first had buckwheat groats in Goa and was surprised to know these were available there too and that too from a local shop.
Maybe as the place where we lived were frequented by Russian and European tourists, hence due to demand these were available.
After taking an instant liking to the steamed buckwheat, I did make it a few times instead of rice and we liked its nutty flavor and taste.
When we shifted, I could not get buckwheat in the local shops and so when I spotted these groats in the super store here, I had to buy them.
Buckwheat is grown locally in India and is a super food. Buckwheat is not a cereal grain but a fruit seed. They are gluten-free as well.
Thus making them an excellent substitute for people having gluten allergy. They are rich in fibre and high in protein.
Buckwheat is also called as ‘kuttu’ in Hindi, ‘kutto’ in Gujarati and ‘papparai’ in Tamil language. Its also known as beech wheat in English.
These triangular shaped buckwheat groats have a light brown greenish color and have their outer husk removed. They are soft seeds and when you soak them in water, they become gelatinous.
If you want a mushy texture in the Kuttu Khichdi, then you simply need to cook the buckwheat in water, the way we cook rice. If you want a separate rice-like texture, then roast or sauté the buckwheat and then cook them in water.
The idea of making this khichdi is from Tarla Dalal which is made similar to Sabudana Khichdi. I have made my own changes to the method of preparation and the ingredients used.
For 1 cup of buckwheat I used 2 cups of water and the result was a soft and well cooked buckwheat groats.
Buckwheat is warming and so is best had in cold seasons. The warmth from the buckwheat can also be balanced by serving it with a cooling yogurt raita.
I often cook buckwheat just like rice or make this khichdi. during this Navratri, I have already made the khichdi thrice.
I served the buckwheat khichdi with a bowl of yogurt. It will also go well with Vrat ki Kadhi.
How to make Kuttu ki Khichdi
Preparation
1. Measure and keep all the ingredients ready for making kuttu khichdi.
2. In a frying pan or tawa, roast 2 tablespoon raw peanuts till they become crunchy and golden.
3. Let them cool. Remove and make a coarse powder of them in a mortar-pestle or in a coffee grinder.
4. Keep the powdered peanuts aside.
5. Pick and then rinse 1 cup of buckwheat groats few times in fresh water.
6. Drain the water and set aside.
Make Kuttu Khichdi
7. Heat 1 tablespoon ghee or peanut oil in a pan or pot.
8. Add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and fry till they crackle on low heat.
9. Then add 1 chopped green chili (or 1 teaspoon chopped) and ½ inch finely chopped ginger.
10. Saute for a few seconds.
11. Add 2 medium-sized potatoes which are chopped into small cubes.
12. Stirring often saute the potatoes on medium heat. Its better to chop the potatoes in smaller cubes, so that they cook faster.
13. Saute on medium heat stirring often for 2 to 3 minutes or more till the potatoes become crisp from the edges.
14. Then add the ground peanuts.
15. Saute for 30 seconds.
16. Then add the rinsed kuttu (buckwheat groats).
17. Stir to combine and saute for 1 to 2 minutes on low to medium-low heat.
18. Add 2 cups of water.
19. Next add 1 teaspoon raw sugar and edible rock salt or sendha namak as required.
20. Stir and mix very well.
21. Cover the pan with its lid and simmer the buckwheat khichdi on a low to medium-low heat.
22. Cook till all the water is absorbed and the buckwheat has softened and cooked well. While the kuttu khichdi is simmering do check a few times to see if the water has not dried.
If the water looks less and the buckwheat groats are half cooked then add some water as needed and gently stir. Cover and continue to cook the buckwheat.
23. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro).
24. Stir and mix again gently.
25. Lastly drizzle lemon juice (optional) as needed for some light tang.
26. Serve Kuttu Khichdi hot or warm with a bowl of curd (yogurt) or with vrat ki kadhi or any fasting curry dish.
If you are looking for more Fasting recipes then do check:
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon peanuts – raw
- 1 tablespoon Ghee or 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 green chili – chopped or 1 teaspoon chopped
- ½ inch ginger – finely chopped
- 2 potatoes medium-sized, chopped in small cubes
- 1 cup buckwheat groats (kuttu)
- 2 cups water or add as needed
- 1 teaspoon raw sugar or regular sugar, add as required
- rock salt – edible and food grade, add as required, (sendha namak or upwas ka namak)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
- lemon juice as required, optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Roast peanuts in a frying pan or tawa till they become crunchy and golden. Let them cool.
- Remove and make a coarse powder of them in a mortar-pestle or in a coffee grinder. Keep the powdered peanuts aside.
- Pick and then rinse the buckwheat a few times in water and keep aside.
Making kuttu ki khichdi
- Heat ghee or oil in a pan or pot. Add the cumin and on low heat saute till they crackle.
- Then add the green chili and ginger and saute for a few seconds.
- Add the potato cubes. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat stirring often till the potatoes become crisp from the edges. Its better to chop the potatoes in smaller cubes, so that they cook faster.
- Add the ground peanuts and saute for half a minute. Later add the rinsed buckwheat. Stir well and saute for 1 to 2 minutes on low to medium-low heat.
- Add the water, sugar and edible rock salt. Stir and mix very well.
- Cover the pan with its lid and simmer the buckwheat khichdi on a low to medium-low heat.
- Cook till all the water is absorbed and the buckwheat has softened and cooked well. While the buckwheat khichdi is simmering do check a few times to see if the water has not dried.If the water looks less and the buckwheat groats are half cooked then add some water as needed and gently stir. Cover and continue to cook the buckwheat.
- Add coriander leaves and give a final stir.
- Serve buckwheat khichdi hot or warm drizzled with lemon juice if you like.
Notes
- This recipe can be scaled as per your requirements.
- Use buckwheat groats that are within their shelf period and have not become rancid.
Nutrition
This Kuttu Khichdi post from the archives first published in April 2014 has been republished and updated on 25 June 2022.
Looks interesting.. chanced upon this while looking for an alternative of Sabudana Khichdi. So want to try surely. These groats cook well even without soaking? Coz they are as hard as wheat probably…
thanks priyanka. buckwheat groats will cook well even without soaking. buckwheat groats are different from whole buckwheat. buckwheat groats have the outer husk removed and then crushed. whole buckwheat will be unhulled and you will need to soak them before cooking. in the package, it should be mentioned buckwheat groats and you can make porridge or pudding or use a substitute for rice with it. hope this helps.
Hi Dassana, thanks for this post, will try it! I have only made buckwheat dosa, so this is new. Soak buckwheat overnight, grind it to a smooth batter, add salt. You can also add onions, green chilies and kotmir, my kids love it with some cheese melted into it!
thank you bhanu for sharing you feedback and suggestions.
From where can I get this buckwheat ?
kailash, you should be able to get in a good grocery store or super market.
Hello! Where in India (Mumbai)I can buy buckwheat? Thanks
alexey, i bought it online. you can probably get in good super market. check in the organic section.
Hello , I read your articles and became interested as I am a Type 2 diabetic , trying various way to lower down my sugar level like daily 1 hour of brisk walking , only eating meat & vegetable without rice daily . I heard using buckwheat can lower our sugar level . can you kindly advise me as how do I make buckwheat with coffee of green tea as my daily breakfast , It comes with a cup of coffee . i am currently buying Indian powder buckwheat .
Many thanks for your kind reply .
i did not get your query. you want to know a buckwheat recipe or coffee? and also did not get “coffee of green tea”.
Nice website dasaana….I m fan of urs now…all d best
thanks anjana for these kind words.
fantastic recipe! but not able to find buckwheat anywhere in delhi. Where can i find it?
monika, you can also buy it online.
Hi,this website is awesome.everyday before cooking I go to this website and cook things.
welcome anu
hieee… i was so glad to see tht u found buckwheat groats… i used to live in russia where i had grown really fond of it… could u tell me in which store i could locate it.. thnks 🙂
i got the buckwheat groats from a super store where i live. but i think you can buy them online too.
Great recipe. Looks delicious 🙂
thanks heena
you can also try buckwheat dhokla. Just soak the buckwheat for 2 hrs in buttermilk and just before making the dhoklas add salt, oil and ginger and greenchilly paste.Do not add baking soda. steam like regular dhoklas.
I have tried a few of your recipes and they turned out really well.
My children who did not like veg biryani earlier enjoyed your recipe very much.
thanks parul for this buckwheat dhokla recipe. i will try this one. thanks for the feedback parul.
Sounds interesting… Yummy!
thanks hari chandana